3.6 Water Flashcards
What are the methods of water supply?
- dams and reservoirs
- wells and boreholes
- desalination
- cloud seeding
- forest water management
- underground storage
Economic water scarcity
when a population does not have the necessary monetary means to utilise an adequate source of water
Physical water scarcity
physical access to water is limited
Main uses of water
- industry
- shower, baths
- agriculture: irrigation, livestock, fish farming
- renewable energy
- recreation
- fire safety
- steam power
Where is the Earth’s water?
- the majority of the world’s water is 97%
- only 3% is potentially useful for humans
How water use varies
more developed countries: higher demand for water in the industrial and domestic sectors
amount of water used depends on the availability of water but also on levels of urbanisation and economic development
Aquifer
rocks can hold water
Aquiclude
rocks that will not hold its water or movement
Aquitard
a layer of rock that limits the movement of water
Why is there growing demand for water?
- population growth
- domestic demand
- agriculture demand
- industrial demand
- energy production
Why is there falling supply for water?
- climate change
- sewage
- pollution
- political
- mismanagement
Problems caused by water shortages and water pollution
- droughts
- crop failure
- livestock deaths
- famine
- conflict
- refugees
- disease
- eutrophication
- biodiversity loss
Possible solutions to water shortages and water pollution
- irrigation projects
- reduced leakage
- dam construction
- construction of wells
- desalination
- conservation and education
